VA awards $6M nurse registry contract to Titan-Auxo, LLC for supplemental staffing in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,072,211 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Titan-Auxo, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-03-31

End Date: 2027-03-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NURSE REGISTRY SUPPLEMENTAL STAFFING

Place of Performance

Location: MATHER, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95655

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.1 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC for work described as: NURSE REGISTRY SUPPLEMENTAL STAFFING Key points: 1. Contract aims to bolster nursing staff availability, addressing potential shortages. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period spans two years, indicating a medium-term need for these services. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561320 points to temporary help services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $6 million over two years for supplemental nursing staff appears reasonable given the critical nature of healthcare services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for nurse registry services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the quality and availability of the nurses provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple entities had the opportunity to compete.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally promotes competitive pricing and allows taxpayers to benefit from potentially lower costs due to market forces.

Public Impact

Veterans in California will benefit from improved access to nursing care. Supplemental staffing services will help the VA maintain adequate healthcare coverage. The contract supports the healthcare workforce in California. Ensures continuity of care and potentially reduces wait times for medical services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on supplemental staff impacting institutional knowledge.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different supplemental providers.
Managing the integration of temporary staff into existing clinical teams.
Potential for increased costs if demand for supplemental staff is consistently high.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate staffing needs, ensuring patient care continuity.
Provides flexibility to scale staffing up or down based on demand.
Leverages specialized expertise from external registry services.
Firm fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is characterized by high demand for skilled professionals, particularly nurses. This contract falls within the temporary help services sub-sector, which is crucial for healthcare providers facing staffing shortages or fluctuating patient loads. The market for healthcare staffing is competitive, with numerous agencies vying to provide services to government and private entities. The VA's spending in this area is significant, reflecting the ongoing need to supplement its permanent workforce.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Titan-Auxo, LLC, is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for healthcare staffing. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Nurse Staffing Contracts
Healthcare Services Contracts
Temporary Staffing Services
Veterans Health Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for inconsistent quality of supplemental staff.
Risk of increased costs due to high demand for temporary nurses.
Challenges in integrating temporary staff into existing clinical workflows.
Dependence on external provider for critical staffing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.1 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC. NURSE REGISTRY SUPPLEMENTAL STAFFING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TITAN-AUXO, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-31. End: 2027-03-30.

What is the track record of Titan-Auxo, LLC in providing similar nursing registry services to the federal government?

Information regarding Titan-Auxo, LLC's specific track record with federal nursing registry services is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require examining past performance evaluations, contract history with federal agencies, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar contract scopes, patient populations, and geographic areas would be crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill this VA contract effectively. Further research into their past performance ratings and any debriefings from previous solicitations would offer deeper insights into their reliability and quality of service.

How does the estimated value of this contract compare to similar VA nurse registry contracts awarded in California?

The provided data does not include comparative contract values for similar VA nurse registry services in California. To assess value for money, one would need to analyze the average hourly rates or per-diem costs for registered nurses under similar firm fixed-price contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies in the same region. Factors such as nurse specialty, experience level, and the specific services required (e.g., critical care, general duty) significantly influence pricing. Without this comparative data, it is difficult to definitively state whether $6 million over two years represents a competitive or inflated cost.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on supplemental nursing staff through a registry service?

Key risks include potential variability in the quality and experience of registry nurses, challenges in integrating temporary staff into existing hospital protocols and culture, and the possibility of increased costs if demand for supplemental staff is consistently high or if the contract is not managed effectively. There's also a risk of over-reliance, which could hinder the development of permanent staff and institutional knowledge. Ensuring proper credentialing, background checks, and adherence to VA standards for all registry nurses is paramount to mitigate patient safety risks. Furthermore, maintaining consistent communication and coordination between the VA and the registry provider is essential for seamless operations.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the VA's ability to meet its nursing staffing requirements in California?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the VA's ability to meet its nursing staffing requirements in California by providing a readily available pool of supplemental nurses. It offers flexibility to address unexpected absences, surges in patient demand, or critical shortages in specific units or facilities. By supplementing its permanent workforce, the VA can ensure continuity of care, reduce the burden on existing staff, and potentially improve patient outcomes. The two-year duration suggests a strategic approach to managing ongoing staffing challenges rather than a short-term fix.

How has VA spending on temporary help services, specifically for nursing, trended over the past five years?

The provided data snippet does not contain historical spending trends for the VA on temporary help services or nursing registries. To analyze this, one would need to access broader federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) and filter for the Department of Veterans Affairs, NAICS code 561320 (Temporary Help Services), and relevant keywords related to nursing. Examining this data would reveal whether spending in this category has increased, decreased, or remained stable, potentially indicating shifts in staffing strategies or persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining permanent nursing staff.

What specific criteria were used to exclude certain sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process?

The provided data does not specify the exact criteria used to exclude certain sources during the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process. Typically, such exclusions are based on pre-defined requirements outlined in the solicitation, which might include specific technical capabilities, past performance standards, financial stability, or geographic presence. Agencies may also exclude sources if they have previously failed to meet contractual obligations or if there are organizational conflicts of interest. A detailed review of the original solicitation documents would be necessary to understand the specific exclusion criteria applied in this instance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C26125Q0232

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 274 LANCASTER AVE STE 206, MALVERN, PA, 19355

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,930,041

Exercised Options: $6,072,211

Current Obligation: $6,072,211

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10X24D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline